I truly, honestly feel like I am the luckiest person in the world getting to do the job that I do. And it’s because I get to meet people like Kate and Tommy. Their smoky summer Glacier National Park elopement was magical, romantic, and chock-full of love, emotion tenderness and true beauty. Their love, their happiness, their joy just filled my soul to the very brim and left my entire being grinning.

But let’s back up a bit. From the moment Kate contacted me about her elopement in Glacier, I knew we’d have a fantastic time. We had such a great conversation over the phone and she told me that she and Tommy first met playing a video game, specifically while in a dragon fight. At the time he was living in St. Louis, and she was in Chicago. They eventually Skyped and realized, oh hey, you’re attractive! When they finally met she told me it was love at first sight. He moved to Chicago and they’ve been together ever since (five years!).

Kate had been to Montana before – actually to Glacier, but it was when she was in 6th grade and she didn’t have clear memories of it. Tommy had never been before, but they both knew it was where they wanted to be married. (They’re avid hikers and love exploring and learning about new places.)

Fast forward to their wedding day. The smoke from Canadian wildfires hung over Glacier like a thin veil, but thankfully, their elopement was literally a week before the latest fires in Glacier started, so we really lucked out and still had access to the Going to the Sun Road.

Though there was some concern about the smoke obscuring the mountain views, Kate and Tommy just went with it and I’m so glad they did because, in my opinion, the smoke just added to the romance and the beauty of their day. And it gave us a bit of an early “sunset” (hey there bright orange sun!), which made for some particularly unique images!

They held their ceremony on the shores of Lake McDonald, and as Kate walked out from the tall stand of cedars, Tommy saw his bride for the first time and he broke out into a huge smile, as did Kate.

Their parents were in attendance, and as these two spoke their vows to one another, there were a few tears, but so much joy and love and laughter. We had a blast making images along the shoreline and even had a family of four Common Mergansers photobomb us by zipping around the lake like tiny, energetic motorboats. (Mergansers are are type of duck, for those of you who aren’t bird nerds like I am.)

From there we toured around the park a bit, encountered a black bear who Tommy spied on the next shoreline away from us, and had a great time finding some beautiful little nooks and crannies of the park in which to make photos. Kate especially loved the old cedar forest and all the mossy rocks and logs in its interior. As we walked around, she told me that she loves moss so much her friends have given her the nickname “Kate Moss” – haha!

I could seriously write pages here, so suffice it to say that it honestly couldn’t have been a more perfect day for these two, and I seriously loved every second I got to spend with them.

Kate and Tommy! It goes without saying, but congrats, congrats, congrats again to you from the bottom of my heart! To witness your love and be invited to capture it for you was such an honor. You two are incredible together and I’m so happy you got to make it all official in Montana! Come back to visit soon – drinks are on me! :)

Vendors for Kate + Tommy’s Smoky Summer Glacier National Park Elopement:

Venue: The amazing Glacier National Park
Officiant: Sally Hanger
Florist: Conrad Floral, Bigfork, Montana
Jeweler: Love & Promise Jewelers, Chicago, Illinois

On the Docket:

Weddings, elopements and portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

I’m pretty sure I’ve got the best job in the world. When Ashley contacted me way back when about photographing her and Wayne’s elopement in Glacier National Park, I swear, we were just giddy and happy and giggling on the phone to one another the entire call. So I knew we’d have such a wonderful time making images together on their wedding day.

She and Wayne, their dog, Noose, and her sister and her sister’s husband all made the trek out to Montana together to check out Glacier for the first time, and to get hitched while they were out here. Not only did they get to say their “I Do’s” in Montana, they also got to celebrate Ashley’s pregnancy with baby Beau, too!

Their day couldn’t have been more gorgeous – blue skies, clear water, and oh-so-much laughter and fun and smiles! (And a few happy tears here and there, too.)

We had such a great time zipping around the Going-to-the-Sun Road and stopping off to make fun photos along the way. As we drove along, we had a great time chatting, and one of our conversations led us to determine that Brad Pitt has got *nothing* on Wayne, and that Wayne could start up a second career as an actor if he wanted to.

And I’ve got to say – Ashley certainly wins the award for most kick-butt, gung-ho, rockin’-mama-to-be. She was all about climbing around on rocks, and, as the sun started to dip below the mountaintops and the light was just about to disappear completely, she even flat out RAN to chase the light with me! Color me impressed!

As our evening wound down, we found ourselves laughing our heads off, grinning to beat the band, and doling out giant hugs and well-wishes after a day exceptionally well spent.

Ashely and Wayne! It completely goes without saying, but here I am going to say it again anyway ;) – what a truly fantastic day! I loved getting to meet you and make these images, and I’ll never forget running around the lake and creek with you both! You two are just fabulous, and baby Beau is lucky to have you both as parents! Congratulations again on your nuptials, and an early congratulations on little mister Beau! Come back and visit soon. :)

Vendors:

Venue: Glacier National Park, Montana
Officiant: Reid Copeland – 406-261-2220

On the Docket:

Portraits, weddings and elopements! Don’t miss ’em!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Ahhh, Glacier. I simply adore how this magical place holds such meaning for so many people, two of those people being Dora and Elliot who had their elopement in Montana at Glacier National Park. They held their short and wonderfully sweet ceremony on the shores of Lake McDonald, beamed at one another as they spoke their vows, exchanged rings and sealed it all with a kiss as gentle waves delicately lapped at the shoreline.

To celebrate their newly-married status, we had a great time touring a section of the park, all the while making photos in some of the jaw-dropping locations that make Glacier an absolute sight to behold.

Even more beautiful to witness, however, is just how much Dora and Elliot love one another. The way they smile at each other, the way they hold one another, the way they melt into each other’s arms – it really can’t get any better than that! It was so special to be able to photograph these little moments between the two of them on such a happy day in their lives – and I, of course, loved every second!

Dora and Elliot, thank you again for inviting me to capture your love for one another and your love of Glacier. It was such an honor to do this for you, and I so enjoyed getting to hang out with you, chit chat and laugh as we traipsed about the park. You two are wonderful! Here’s to many more Glacier visits for you in the future! :)

Details about Dora and Elliot’s Elopement in Montana at Glacier National Park:

Ceremony Location: on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Officiant: Josie, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: weddings, portraits and more! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

It was an absolutely brilliant day for Brittany and John’s West Glacier elopement in Montana. The sun was winking off Lake McDonald, these two were just beyond excited to get married, and their sweet German Shepherd, Heidi, was the perfect “dog of honor” to witness their ceremony. They smiled and laughed as they exchanged their vows, excitedly exchanged rings and sealed it all with a kiss as Heidi looked on adoringly.

It’s a huge understatement to say just how fun it was to photograph Brittany and John. They drove to Montana all the way from Virginia, and to celebrate their elopement were doing a sort of national parks tour, with Glacier as their stop to get hitched!

I swear, we didn’t stop smiling the entire afternoon and evening I got to hang out with them. There was so much laughter and happiness as we bopped around Glacier to make photos of them to celebrate their elopement. Later in the evening as the sun was languidly dipping behind the mountains, we stopped off by Lake McDonald again. Brittany and John cracked open some beers (Going to the Sun IPA appropriately being one of them), toasted each other and shared some wedding day cupcakes. The lake beckoned, however, and soon the two decided to dip their toes (wait a second – MORE than their toes!) into the lake. (Which was pretty chilly!)

I’ve got to say, we were all cracking up, and I was laughing SO hard I had tears in my eyes – what a perfect way to end the day!

Brittany and John – holy moly, you two! I’m so glad you found me to photograph such a special, awesome day in your lives. I loved every single second we got to hang out with each other, and I hope you come back to Montana again sometime soon (anniversary trip?? :) )! Here’s to two fabulous people living it up and getting married in Montana! Congratulations again!

Details about Brittany and John’s West Glacier Elopement in Montana:

Ceremony Location: on the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park
Officiant: Sally Anne Seyfried-Hanger of MarryMeInMontana.love

On the docket: weddings and portraits galore! Stay tuned!

Cheers!

-Kristine

Glacier National Park is a truly magical place, so when Christy and Neil got in touch with me about photographing their intimate Glacier National Park Wedding, I was so excited to hear about what they had in mind.

And it. Was. Perfect.

They both have strong connections to Glacier, and prior to their ceremony, went in search of a spot within the park that just felt right to them. That spot? The Trail of the Cedars. And it truly was right.

Christy wowed Neil with their first look, and as guests began to arrive, they both hid away down the trail. Soon, their ceremony started and Christy and Neil made their way down the trail, tiny against the towering, giant cedars, and stood next to the creek, golden aspens winking in the background as they spoke their incredibly touching vows and promised their love to one another.

Their friends and family smiled and cheered as the two officially became husband and wife, and soon everyone toasted to their union with some good Wisconsin beer.

Christy, Neil and I took off on a little “photo tour” of the park, and I’ve got to give credit to Christy for navigating some pretty rocky terrain in her dress – she won the day, for sure! We had such a great time making these images, and we were even treated to some especially awesome golden light that peeked through the rapidly approaching storm clouds right as we were wrapping up our tour.

Christy and Neil – what a wonderful, beautiful day for you both. It was such an honor and such a pleasure to have the opportunity to document such a meaningful day in your lives together. Glacier is gorgeous, but you two together are even better. :) Here’s to a life full of happy days and Glacier adventures!

On the docket: portraits! Stay posted!

Cheers,

-Kristine

When I hear the word “Glacier,” I have to admit – my heart goes pitter patter. And when I hear the words “Glacier National Park elopement” I darn near about have a heart attack. That’s how much I love it up there. So when Meagan and Brian contacted me about meeting up with them to photograph their wedding ceremony (with just them, their officiant and me), I was more than a little excited.

They had never been to Glacier, but had always wanted to visit, and figured this was a great place to be married. And oh, it was. It was, it was, it was, a million times over. Montana pulled out all the stops for them and the weather was perfect, complete with blue skies, brilliant sun, fluffy puffy clouds, and goldilocks temps – you know, not too hot, not too cold…juuuuust right.

They were married on the shore of Lake McDonald – a quiet spot, surrounded by trees, beautiful tall grass, that gorgeous lake, mountains and sky. Pure poetry. They spoke their vows into that wide open space, signed their marriage license on the side of a toppled tree, and in the skip of a stone across the lake, they were married!

After their ceremony, we ventured around Glacier a bit to take in what makes it completely awesome. We only got to see a fraction of it, but holy moly, did we have a great time. We scrambled boulders and rocks (kudos to Meagan on doing this in heels!), laughed as we chatted while driving the Going to the Sun Road, ogled at the views, and got seriously excited about the amazing light we were experiencing (ok, maybe I was the most excited, but that LIGHT! Again – heart attack!).

Meagan and Brian – what a truly special day for you two! I am so honored you invited me to document this moment in your lives. If I could photograph your elopement every day, I would. Here’s to years upon years of happiness, adventure, and exploring new and beautiful places this world has to offer! Congratulations again!

On the docket: weddings, portraits, and more weddings!

Cheers,

-Kristine

Winter in Glacier is….simply breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly, make-you-weak-in-the-knees GORGEOUS. Beth and Andy’s Christmas-time winter wedding in Glacier at the Belton Chalet was no exception. From the fresh snowfall that morning to the rustic charm of the chalet, to the mountains enveloped in fog…..their day. was. INCREDIBLE. In every way.

We all had such a blast visiting Lake McDonald, and even though it was pretty dang chilly, that didn’t hinder Beth and Andy and their wedding party from being troopers and making some really fun photos. Beth’s reaction to the scenery at the lake when we initially arrived was pretty priceless – I’m not sure I’ve ever heard a bride so excited to do her photos! Love it! :)

We all returned to the warmth of the chalet, and soon Beth was walking down the aisle on her father’s arm. The fire crackled as friends and family smiled listening to Beth and Andy vow their love to one another. Everyone gave their blessings to the couple and the ceremony was closed with Beth and Andy and their guests all singing along to Be Thou My Vision, played by an instrumental trio made up of Beth’s friends.

As the snow fell outside guests mingled, laughed and snacked on hors d’oeuvres before sitting down to dinner, and later everyone sipped on champagne (kiddos had fun with their cider), and enjoyed a rousing game of pub trivia with the questions being written with Beth and Andy’s backgrounds in mind.

Beth and Andy – where do I begin? It is a complete understatement to say just how beautiful and touching your wedding was, and how honored I am to have documented it for you. Thank you so much for inviting me into such a special day in you and your family’s lives – here’s to many more adventures in Glacier for you both!

Winter Wedding in Glacier Vendors:

Venue: The Belton Chalet, West Glacier, Montana
Hair and Makeup Artist: Mirabelle Salon, Kalispell, Montana
Wedding Dress: Beautiful Weddings, Missoula, Montana
Officiant: Pastor Reiner

On the docket: engagement sessions and portraits! Stay tuned!

Cheers,

-Kristine

If you’ve never been to Glacier National Park in Montana….get yourself there! It’s truly one of the most beautiful places on earth. And Dusty and Tom chose to be married right outside of it to celebrate their wedding day in one of their most favorite places.

Glacier lived up to its majesty for their incredibly beautiful wedding – fluffy clouds meandered through the sky, the sun shined brilliantly, making everything glow and sparkle, only rivaled by everyone’s smiling faces as Dusty and Tom vowed to love one another for eternity.

The wedding party also took advantage of what the park has to offer and zipped on over to Lake McDonald in one of the classic red jammer buses, followed by many happy greetings from park visitors.

Little kiddos played on the grassy hillsides of Great Northern Resort, as groomsmen shared celebratory cigars in the sun, and festivities continued into the evening with rollicking good music and lively dancing.

Dusty and Tom – I don’t even know where to start. Thank you SO much for inviting me into such a special moment of your lives! I loved every second of your wedding and I was so honored to document it for you. I wish you many long and happy years together, and lots of visits to Glacier to commemorate such a wonderfully special day. :)

Vendor Information:
Getting Ready Venues: Ridgetop Retreat at Glacier Outdoor Center, and Great Northern Resort, West Glacier, Montana
Ceremony and Reception Venue: Glacier Park Wedding Resort, West Glacier, Montana
Wedding Coordinator: Kelsey Motes-Conner with Glacier Park Wedding Resort, West Glacier, Montana
Florist: Glacier Wall Flowers, Columbia Falls, Montana
Cake: Mikie’s Cheesecakes, Kalispell, Montana
Band: ShoDown, Missoula, Montana
Makeup Artist: Jaqueline with Alchemy Mineral Blends, Missoula, Montana
Hair Artist: Kari Richter with The Total Look Salon, Missoula, Montana
Wedding Dress: After 5 and Weddings, Bozeman, MT – a Maggie Sottero design
Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal
Men’s Suits: Tuxedo Gallery, Missoula, Montana

On the docket: more weddings and portraits galore!

Cheers,

-Kristine